Pessary



y 1943- c. G. VINCENT v PESSARY Filed Sept. 3, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR (rmsfon 6f Vmce/rz BY ATTO RN E Y July 20, 1 943.

c. G. VINCENT 2,324,656

PESSARY Filed Sept. 3, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 00/25 for; G.l/mcenf BY ATTORNEY Patented July 20, 1943,

UNITED STATES PATENT orrics PESSARY Cranston G. Vincent, Kansas City,Mo.

Application September 3, 1940, Serial No. 355,127

4 Claims.

This invention relates to pessaries and more particularly to a pessaryof self-adjusting character; the principal objects of the inventionbeing to provide conveniently operable, relatively economical and highlyefficient pessaries f the char acter noted.

Other objects of the invention are to provide for automatically sealingthe pessaries in vaginal tracts and about cervices therein of variedsize and conformation; to provide comfortable, safe and sanitarypessaries; and to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof inpessaries of the character noted.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, Ihave provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of pertinent portions of the femaleanatomy showing .a pessary embodying this invention in diametricalsection and in operative position relative thereto.

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the pessary illustrated in Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is a diametrical section through the pessary illustrated in Fig.2, size reduction adjustment thereof being indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the pessary, parts thereof being broken away toillustrate a device for effecting adjustment of the pessary as to size.

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional View of the pessary in partiallyformed condition preparatory to application of an adjusting devicethereto.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of an adjusting device applicable tothe pessary in the condition shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. I is a diametrical section through a modified form of the presentinvention wherein the adjusting device shown in Fig. 6 is omitted.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a further modified form of thisinvention.

Fig. 9 is a diametrical section through the pessary shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section through the pessary shown in Fig. 8 onthe line Ill-l0, Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail horizontal section similar to Fig. 10 showing size'reduction adjustment thereof.

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of an adjust-ing device applicableto the pessary shown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I, Fig. 2, designates a pessary embodying features of my invention, thepreferred form of pessary preferably consisting of a thin resilientdiaphragm 2 of rubber or the like, of dome-like shape and hollowstructure and having a closed end 3 and an open end 4 defined by anannular edge 5 of the diaphragm.

The diaphragm is arranged and intended for insertion into a vaginaltract 6, Fig. 1, and for lodgrnent in the fornix 1 in surroundingprotective covering relation to the cervix B.

In order to hold the diaphragm in desired position, as shown in Fig. 1,relative to the cervix, the diaphragm is provided with a resilient, ad:-justing device, preferably at the open end thereof, that is designed toengage the vaginal walls adjacent the cervix and seal the cervix fromthe remainder of the vaginal tract.

In the preferred form of invention, shown in Figs. 1 to 6, a resilientannular skirt 9 extends from the open edge of the diaphragm laterallyand rearwardly relative to the diaphragm.

The skirt 9 is preferably formed integrally with the diaphragm and isgreater thickness than the diaphragm to impart relative ligidity'to theskirt.

Due to the variance in size and conformation of pertinent parts ofdifferent female anatomies, maker of pessaries have been obliged toprovide the same in several sizes in order to effectively fit aparticular subject.

In the present invention the skirt 9 flares laterally of the diaphragm adistance suflicient to sealingly engage the vaginal walls'of relativelylarge subjects, the resiliency of the skirt allowing the diaphragm toalso sealingly engage the vaginal walls of relatively small subjects.

By this provision, the diameter of the diaphragm at the open end thereofmay be made as small as approximately fifty millimeters, for example,and the diameter of the skirt at its outer edge, when in expandedcondition, may be made as large as approximately ninety-fivemillimeters, the range between which diameters provides a comfortablefit for a great majority of cases.

In order to facilitate engagement of the sealing skirt 9 with thevaginal walls, a ring l0, Fig. 6, having resilient spaced fingers Ii, ismounted in. the diaphragm at the open end and in the skirt thereof.

It is desirable that the fingers I! be loosely arranged relative to theskirt 9 in. order to prevent binding and resistance to adjustment of theskirt. This desideratum may be accomplished by mounting the diaphragm ona form able manner between the fingers, if desired, in

order to provide individual recesses or pockets for the fingersrespectively.

In using a pessary constructed as described, the diaphragm and skirt arecompressed diametrically. The pessary is then introduced into thevaginal tract, with the open end of the diaphragm facing the cervix, andmoved into the fornix in covering relation to the cervix. Relaxation ofcompression on the skirt and diaphragm allows the pessary to expand. Theflaring skirt is thus allowed to engage the vaginal walls and seal thecervix from other portions of the vaginal tract.

The pessary may be conveniently removed by grasping an edge of thesealing skirt.

The form of invention shown in Fig. 7 is similar to the form ofinvention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, with the exception that the resilientring and fingers are omitted from this structure. A diaphragm l having askirt I5 is provided which generally correspond in size, material,shape, etc. to the diaphragm 2 and skirt 9 of the preferred form ofinvention. The diaphragm i5 and skirt l6 may in this instance be molded,preferably with the thickness of the skirt approximating double that ofthe diaphragm in order to increase rigidity of the skirt yet provideresiliency.

The purpose, functions and use of the pessary shown in Fig. '7 aresimilar to those described in connection with the preferred form ofinvention.

A further modified form of invention is shown in Figs. 8 to 12 wherein apessary is provided consisting of a dome-like, hollow, preferably thinrubber diaphragm having an open end 2|, the defining edges 22 of whichsurround a resilient, adjusting device 23, Fig. 12. The device 23preferably consists of a flexible wire annularly shaped and havingseparable ends 24 and 25. The end 25 i preferably provided with a guideelement 26 and the end 24 is preferably provided with a stop element 21engageable with the guide element to limit expansion of the wire.

The normal expanded condition of the pessary is shown in Figs. 8 to 10,and in this condition the diameter of the annular wire may beapproximately ninety-five millimeters, for example. The wire is looselymounted in the preferably outwardly and backwardly rolled defining edges22 of the diaphragm and is compressible or contractible, as shown inFig. 11, down to smaller sizes, for example approximately fifty (50)millimeters in diameter. This provision allows manufacturers to provideadjustable single size pessaries for physicians who may fit the same inthe proper practice of their profession.

The purpose, functions and operation or manner of use of this form ofinvention is substantially similar to the corresponding features of theother forms of invention.

It is apparent, therefore, that I have provided a conveniently operable,relatively economical and highly efficient, self-adjusting pessary, thatis admirably suited for the purpose for which it is intended.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pessary of the character described, a resilient dome-shapedhollow diaphragm having an open end, a resilient skirt on the diaphragmat the open end thereof, and a ring in the skirt having contractiblenormally outwardly extending fingers thereon.

2. In a pessary of the character described, a resilient dome-shapedhollow diaphragm having an open end, a resilient skirt on the diaphragmat the open end thereof, and a. ring in the skirt having contractiblenormally outwardly extending fingers thereon, said fingers being looselymounted in said skirt for preventing binding and resistance toadjustment of said skirt.

3. A pessary including a resilient dome-shaped diaphragm adapted toextend over a cervix and having an annular outwardly extending skirtprovided with an annular pocket and a contractible member freely andmovably retained in said pocket to effect adjustment of said skirt to afornix of a vaginal tract.

4. A pessary including a resilient dome-shaped hollow diaphragm havingopen end, a resilient skirt on the diaphragm at the open end thereof, aresilient member retain d in the skirt adjacent the open end of thediaphragm, and contractible normally outwardly extending fingers on themember and in the skirt for effecting adjustment of said skirt relativeto a fornix in a vaginal tract.

CRANSTON G. VINCENT.

